'sperm-independent' originates from a combination of two elements: 'sperm' and 'independent'. 'sperm' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'sperma', where 'sperma' meant 'seed'. 'independent' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'independens', where the prefix 'in-' meant 'not' and the root 'dependere' meant 'to hang down or be suspended'.

'sperm' entered English via Late Latin 'sperma' from Greek 'sperma', and 'independent' entered English via Old French 'independant' from Latin 'independens'. The modern compound 'sperm-independent' was formed in modern English by combining these two elements to describe processes not reliant on sperm.

Initially, 'sperma' meant 'seed' and 'independens' meant 'not hanging from' or 'not dependent'; over time the combined modern usage came to mean 'not requiring sperm' or 'occurring without the involvement of sperm'.